MANCHESTER, England - Daniel Dubois survived a dramatic first-round knockdown and another in the third to stop Fabio Wardley in the 11th round Saturday, capturing the WBO heavyweight title in a bloody all-British war.
Referee Howard Foster stepped in at the start of the 11th after Wardley, bleeding heavily from the nose and with his right eye nearly swollen shut, could no longer defend himself.
Dubois, 28, now a two-time world heavyweight champion, dismissed his first knockdown as a "flash knockdown" and regained control in the middle rounds. He unloaded unanswered punches on the champion throughout the second half of the fight.
Wardley, 31, making his first title defense after being elevated to champion last November, showed relentless heart but took a severe beating. Doctors and the referee inspected him repeatedly before finally ending the bout.
Promoter Frank Warren called it the best heavyweight fight he has ever staged and confirmed a rematch clause exists. The win moves Dubois to 23-3; Wardley falls to 20-1-1.